F3: Super Doggin

This Fresh Forkin' Friday before Super Bowl, I'm plotting my Dog Bar. I think I'll throw a bunch of franks onto the grill, then let people dress them as they may. I always think it's good to provide some guidance for those who might fearfully default to ketchup and mustard. I might suggest instead, on a dog, why not try:

You've probably seen the cute little bags of locally made dried pasta at your co-op or market, but now Sunrise Creative Gourmet has its own shop in St. Paul. The store carries way more than pasta (they've been busy in their 100 years of business) including products from iron range pals, such as Fraboni's meats (yes, porketta), as well as other local producers.

Did I forget to mention that Little Szechuan opened in the UofM's Stadium Village area?

Town Hall is having their annual chili cook-off at the Lanes this Sunday. Get in and throw a few frames while your crock pot is heating up, but stay focused there's $500 in prizes on the line. Your $10 gets you a beer and all the chili you can sample.

Consider that a warm-up gig if you plan to go high-falutin'. The Northern Clay Centers annual chili cook off is on Feb. 6, and pottery people are serious about chili. Go early for the free workshop where you make your own chili bowl, then stay for the chili and the fun. (PRO TIP: Jim Norton is a judge, and I hear he's just mad for smokin' hot ghost pepper chili.) ***** If you are going to order in for the Superb Owl ... check out

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Food and Dining editor Stephanie March writes and edits Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Eat + Drink section. She can also be heard Saturdays on her myTalk107.1 radio show, Weekly Dish, where she talks about the Twin Cities food scene.